Safety oil burner



June 17 `1924.

L. S. CHADWICK SAFETY OIL BURNER Filed March 24, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l w m 93 @00 2J ffv fnl/@vlnr Mmm@ *glam M A M June 17 1924.

L. S. CHADWICK SAFETY OIL BURNER Filed March 24 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 infini/1 $42 ...an QQ Patented June 17, 1924.

Unirse STATES PATENT orifice.-

LEE S. CHADWICK, 0F SHAKER HEIGHTS VILLAGE, OHIO, ASSIGNR TO THE CLEVE LAND METAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SAFETY on; BURNER.

Application led March 24, 1922. Serial No. 546,349.

To all whom it may concern.' l

Be it known that I, LEE S. CHADwioK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Shaker Heights Village, in the county of` Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have inventedy the burner parts, especially the yair control` ling member.

My invention is applicable to tubular types of burners wherein the'air controlling member is situated within` the upper end of the inner wick tubes. In such `types of burners the air controlling member is ordinarily referred toas a flame spreader and the same incorporates a ange which extends out over the wick. lIn the following descriptiOn, therefore, I shall refer to the-air controlling member as a flame spreader, but without intending to limit myself to any particular construction or arrangement of parts.

In the earlier forms of tubular burners of the class to which my present improvements are applicable, anexamplefof which is disclosed in my U. S. Letters yPatent 1,251,688, dated January 1, 1918, the flame spreader is supported with its flange a fixed distance above the upper ends of thev wick tubes. While the normal burning range of the wick in this form ofy burner precludes a position wherein the wick contacts with the flamer4 spreader flange, it is not an uncommon occurrence for the user to turn the wick to such a height as to engage its burned end with the iiange of the flame spreader, thereby creating an unsafe condition by shutting ofi" the passage of air between the wick and the flame spreader flange and trapping within the inner wick tube combustible vapors which gradually increase in volume by their continued generation through the contact of the hot llame spreader flange with the oil saturated wick. The vapors, being comparatively heavy, descend within the inner wick tube where, they flash and `burn with the occasional result that the solder holding the burner parts together melts and the burner gives way and causes a fire. Various so-called safety liame spreaders have been devised to obviate this unsafe condition but withonly limited success, especially wheny standpoint. f y y t I have recently developed an oil burner involving an, automatic wick stop which coacts with the wick raising means and pre-y vents the wick from rising into contact with the flame spreader. The flame spreader, however, vin one phase of the operation of this burner descends upon the wick, for I utilize the fiame spreader for coupling, the wick stop'mechanism with the wick raising means; In this burner, disclosed iny mycopending application, Serial No. 528,818, filed January 12, 1922, when the wick is below burning range, the flame spreader occupies a position wherein its flange is below the upper ends of the'wick tubes so that it may be engaged by the wick when the latter is elevated and, through itsk intervention,

wick stop mechanism in such manner as to couple the stop mechanism with the wick n raising means during the initial upward movement of the spreader. After this connection of the stop mechanism with the wick vraising means has been effected, the fiame spreader is bodily lifted out of contact with the wick by the wick raising means. .However, there is an appreciable interval during which the flange of Lthe flame spreader is in contact with the wick, and upon turning the wick down below burning range vin order to entiifiguisli the flame it sometimes happens', though very seldom, that the flange of ythe Hamespreader is left resting upon the wick. Why it so infrequently occurs is readily explained by the fact that unless the wickis turned low enough to actually withdraw from the flange of the flame spreader, the flame is not completely extinguished, and it is only through extreme carelessness or inattention on the part of the user that the burner is left in suchv a condition. When thisvunusual situation does occur, however, particularly in large burners, if it were-'not for the provisions of my present invention,

member when said member is in contact with the wick, and which willnot interfere with thenormal operation of the burner or in any way impair the character of the flame produced thereby.

Further objects areto provide a simple and inexpensive construction through which thev foregoing purpose is effectually attained, and which operates with a high degree of efficiency and, by reason of its peculiar control of the air drafts directed inY proximity to the iiame, maintains the parts adjacent the flame at a comparatively low temperature. V l

Yln the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional view through that type of burner wherein the air controlling member or flame spreader is utilized for coupling wick stop mechanism with the wick raising means and showing said member or spreader in the position it occupies when the wick is below burning range; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the air controlling member or iiame spreader elevated and thewicl. at its maximum height; Fig. 8 shows certain of' the 'parts of Fig. 2 more or less diagrammatically and on a considerably enlarged scale; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation of the type Aof burner wherein the air controlling member or flame spreader is supported with its flange arfixed distance above the tops of the vwick tubes, the air controlling member or flame spreader embodying` my present invention. I

As is well known, burners of the class inY connection with which my improvements are herein illustrated, consist of inner and outer-wick tubes l and 2 between which the wick 3 is guided, it being recalled that the wick tubes are connected at their lower ends with a liquidctight joint so as to effectually close the wick space at all points except between their upper ends and at a point' near their lower ends where a suitable fitting is applied to one of the tubes and through which communication is established between the wick space and a source of fuel supply. WithV respecet to the form of burner illustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 3, theV same incorporates a wick stop mechanism that is fully disclosed in my copending applicationfhereinbefore referred to. 5 is a spanner which is supported for vertical movement within f ber.

Lees-,15e

the inner wick tube and from which depends a frame 6 that carries, at its lower end, the mechanism through which the spanner is coupled with the wick raising means inthe manner clearly set forth in said application. The iame spreader which is designated generally by the numeral 10 reposes within the upper end of the inner wick tube l and rests upon the spanner 5 and is adapted to be locked thereto by tumblers 1l that are pivoted at 12 to the frame 6 when said tumblers are forced apart by the insertion between their adjacent Vedges of a locking pin 13 thatV is movably carried by the spanner and which acts to project and positively retain the keepers le of thel tumblers over the shoulder l5. of the lock 16 which constitutes a part of the iiame spreader. This flame spreader latch, in substantially identical form with that shown here, and in other forms suitable to the present purpose, isdisclosed in my copending application f-'Serial No. 528,883, filed January l2, 1922, and as it constitutes no part of my present invention, further description is deemed unnecessary.

Fig. l shows the wick 3 below burning range, and the Vflame spreader in the position it would occupy under such conditions. Fig. 2 shows the 'wick raised, and the flame spreader elevated to the position wherein it functions purely as an air controlling memlhc flame spreader comprises, besidesithe before mentioned lockl, a top 2O which is shown as connected adjacent its center with the top of the lock 16; a tube 2l which depends from the top 20; a flange 22 which is carried by the tube 2l and extends outwardly beneath the peripheral portion of the top 20 and at its outer edge is turned abruptly `downwardly; Aa flange slrirt 23 which is situated immediately below the fiange 22 and is curved gradually downwardly toward, but is spaced a suitable distance inwardly from the lower edge of the flange; and a body 24. which consists of a substantially cylindrical wall made up of interlitting parts 25 and 26, the latter being drawn inwardly at its lower end and connectedto the tube 2l at 27. The tube Qlhas a series of comparatively large openings through which its interior communicates with the space between the flange 22 and the peripheral portion of the top 20, and a second series of similar openings 3l which open into the space enclosed by the body 24;. The peripheral portion of the top '20 has ierforations32J and 33, its centralvr portion perforations 34, and the body has a series of perforations in its cylindrical wall and perforations 36 in its bottom wall. My improvements consist essentially in providing the iiange 22 of the flame spreader with air passageways adjacent its periph- (ill which sweeps out beneath the skirt 23 andV under the edge of the flange 22, carrying the products of combustion outwardly away from the spreader parts,- tlius maintaining them at a comparatively low temperature, while imparting proper shape to the flame and supplying the required oxygen to promote combustion.

It may be stated also that the air passing -up through the perforations of the top prevents the flame from converging to ltoo great an extent as it rises about the spreader. The air currents which pass through `and about the body 24 prevent vapors from falling into the space between the body and the inner wick tube and from condensing on the body. lVhen observing the normal operation of the burner it is indiscernible that any air passes through the perforatioiis 38 of the flange 22-7 the skirt 23 apparently deflecting practically all of the air beneath the lower edgel of the flange. However, when the parts are in the condition illustrated in Fig. 1, with the flange 22 resting upon the burned end of the wick,- tlie skirt 23 tends to trap the vapors that are generated by contact of the hot flangey with the saturated wick with# in the pocket 40 from rwhich they readily escape through the perforations 38. It will be seen, therefore, that the skirt 23 has the two-fold purpose of directing the air beneath the flange 22, when the burner is in operation, and of preventing the vapors from dropping down into the wick tube, when the flange is in contact with the wick. The upper end of the inn'erywick tube also i effectually contributes to the latter result.

In the form of burner illustrated in Fig'. 4 a spa-nner 45 is secured within the inner wick tube l adjacent its upper end. The flame spreader shown in this burner coniprises a tube 46, to the upper end of which is applied a top 47. A flange 48, corresponding to the flange 22 of the. previous form, is carried by and extends' outwardly from the tube 46 a suitable distance below the top 47, and a skirt 49 issituated immediately below the flange 48 and has its outer edge directed downwardly toward but spaced a suitable distance from lthe edge of the flange 48. rEhe body of the flame spreader comprises a cylindrical wall 50 and a bottom wall 5l which extends inwardly and downwardly from the cylindrical wall and has its inner edge secured to the tube 46. The tube is provided with openings 52 through which its interior communicates with the space between the top 47 and the flange 48, and with openings 53 through which its interior communicates with the space enclosed by the body of the spreader. A frusto-conical deflector 55 extends outwardly and downwardly from the' tube 46 immediately above the openings 53.

`The lower end of the tube 46 terminates in a series of `locking segments 56 each of which has a shoulder 57 that isadapted to lock beneath a pin 58 which extends inwardlyl from the neck 59 of the spaiiner 45.

yIn this form of `the burner, the flame spreader is supported with its flange 48 a fixed distance above the upper ends'of the wick tubes, and in case the wick is turned so high as to engage the flange 48, the vapors generated under" these conditions beneath the flange will be trapped in the space between the skirt 49 and flange 48 and escape through perforations 60 lin theilang'e, to *I mingle and burn with those rising from the outer exposed surface of the wick. So far as this phase of the operation is concerned, the effect would be substantially the same if the skirt 49 were omitted. The essential duty of the skirt is to direct the air downor after thev flame spreader was emplaced), ifi

the` vapors v generated beneath the flange would escape through the perforations 38 vand burn with those rising from'tlie outer exposed part ofthe wick. The burner could operate indenitely under these conditions .ii

with only the effect of producing a relatively.

Having thus what I-claim is:

1. 'In aburnery of the classset forth, an y i air controlling member having a part wherewith the burned end of the wick may contact under certain conditions though normally out of Contact therewith, part having air passageways through which vapors generated in the region of contacty `poor flame yof vcomparatively lo-wxeciency. described my invention, r

between the wick and said part gmay escape in close proximity to the wick. n

2. In a burner of the class set forth, an air controlling member having a part wherewith the burned end of the wick may contact under certain conditions, said part having passageways through whichvapors generated by contact of the wick with said part may escape in close proximity to the wick,

contacts.

flector spaced from said part andV enclosing with said part a pocket for the vapors, the deflector, during thenormal operation of the burner, serving to direct air beneath said part.

4. In a burner of the character set forth, an air controlling member having a part extending` over and downwardly toward the wickand with the edge whereof the Vwick may contact under certain conditions, Ysaid.

part having a series of perforations adjacent its edgegan element spaced from said part and enclosing with said part a pocket for vapors generated in the region of contact between the wick and vsaid part and from which pocket the vapors may escape through the aforesaid perforations, said element, duringrthe normal operation of the burner, serving to direct air beneath the edge of the part wherewith the wick 5. In a burner comprising wick tubes between which the wick is guided, a flame spreader supported within the upper end ofV the inner wick tube, the flame spreader having a flange extending outwardly and over the space between the tubes and with the edge whereof the burned end of the wick may contact under certain conditions, the flange having a seriesof perforations adjacent its edge. Y

6. In a burner comprising wick tubes between `which the wick is guided, a flame spreader supported within the upper end of the inner wick tube, the flame spreader having a flange extending outwardly and over the space 4between the ytubes and with the edge whereof the burned end of the wick may contact under certain conditions, theV flange having a series of perforations'adjacent its edge, and. a skirt extending outwardly anddownwardly beneath the flange Y to enclose therewith a pocket for trapping vapors `generated in the region of contact between the wick and flange and from which the vapors may escape through the afore- V said perforations, the'skirt serving, during the normal operation of the burner, to dei fleet air outwardly beneath the flange.

7. In a burner comprising wick tubes be- .tween which the wick is guided, a flame spreader supported within the upper end of the inner wick tube, the flame spreader having a flange extending outwardly over and downwardly toward the wick so that its edge may be engaged by the burned end of the wick under certain conditions, the flange having a series of perforations'adjacent its edge, and a skirt immediately below the flange and extending outwardly and downwardly toward the edge of the flange and enclosing with the flange a pocket in'which vapors generated in the Vregion of contact between the wick and flange may be trapped and from which the `vapors may escape through said perforations, the skirt serving during the normal operation of the burner to direct air downwardly beneath the flange.

8. In a burner incorporating wick tubes between which the wick is guided, a flame spreader supported within the upper end of the inner wick tube and comprising a tubular member, a top applied thereto, the peripheral portion of the 'top extending outwardly over the space between the wickY tubes, a flange extending outwardly rfrom` the tubular member beneath the peripheral portion of the top and having its edge portion directed downwardly for contactwith` the wick under certain conditions, the'downwardly turned portion'of the flange being provided with a series of perforations, a skirt situated immediately below the flange and eXtendingV outwardly and downwardly toward the edge of the flange and enclosing with the flange a pocket in which vapors generated at the region of contact between the wick andflange are trapped and from the skirt and secured to the tubular meinthrough which its interior communicates with the space between the peripheralportion of the top and the flange and the space between the skirt and the body, the body and top having perforations suitably distributed to afford a proper distribution of air'. Y

9. In a burner incorporating wick tubes i700 which the vapors may escape through said' `perforations, a body portion spaced below Vber, the tubular member having openings between which the wick is guided, aV flamey spreader supported within the upper end of the inner wick tube and comprising a tubu lar member, a top'app'liedV thereto, the peripheral portion of the top extending out-` wardly over the space between the wick tubes, and flange extending Voutwardly from the tubular member beneath the peripheralportion of the top and having its edge portion directed downwardly for contact with the wick under certain conditions, the downwardly turned portion of the flange being provided with a series of'perforations. n

l0. In a burner of the character setrforth, in combination with the wick guide, an air controlling member movably supported with a part thereof disposed above the wick andl wherewith the wick is capable of engage- Vment when the top of the wick is below the top of the wick guide, the top of the wick, the guide and said member under such conditions being so disposed with respect to each other as to form a pocket wherein vapors generated by the engagement of said part with the Wick are trapped, said part having outlet passageways for the vapor.

1l. In a burner of the character setr forth, in combination with the wick tubes, an air controlling member inovably supported in operative relation to the wick tubes and having a flange disposed over the space between the tubes and wherewith the wick is capable `of engagement when the flange is below the plane of the tops of the tubes, the top of the wick, the flange, and the top of one of the wick tubes under such conditions being so disposed with respect to each other as to form a pocket wherein vapors generated b v the engagement of the flange with the wick are trapped, the flange having a series of perforations through which the vapors may Y escape. n p

In` testimony whereof, I hereunto aiX my signature. v v

` LEE S. CHADVICK. 

